A lack of workers willing to run polling sites as Texas continues to report record coronavirus infections is forcing election officials in two major counties to scale back plans for the July 14 primary runoff elections.
Citing a drop-off spurred by fear of the virus, Bexar County, the state’s fourth largest, is expected to close at least eight of its planned 226 voting locations for next Tuesday, according to County Judge Nelson Wolff.
In Tarrant County, the third largest, election officials learned Thursday that the local Republican and Democratic parties had agreed to shutter two of 173 sites planned for election day voting after the parties were unable to find election judges to run the polling places.
Although poll workers are generally being provided with protective gear, Gov. Greg Abbott‘s decision to not require voters to wear masks when they show up at polling locations is driving some poll workers away, Wolff said.
All because Texas is fighting tooth and nail to prevent its own voters under 65 from being able to safely vote by mail. It is tragic, and avoidable, and disgusting.